I think my guppy fry (babies) may have some sort of parasite. Their tails are disintegrating (described as pin tailed or needle tailed i think) and they have trouble swimming and become very lethargic. I have noticed that when one fish gets it, they usually all get it. They end up dying within 1-2 weeks. The symptoms i described seem to be a body fluke, a type of parasite that apparently "eats them away" (eww, i cringe at the thought!)
anway the site where i got this idea of the body fluke is
http://guppyplace.tripod.com/Parasites.html
Do you think this seems right? Has anyone had this problem with their guppies? Also, ive heard that a good treatment for this parasite is to put salt in your tank. Is it ok for guppies to have salt? What is the reccomended dosage for a 10 gal aquarium (although adding all the pebbles and shells, it would be more like 8-9 gallons)
I know that you are supposed to get a hospitalization tank, but i really dont have the money to buy one. (cont.)
2006-09-06 14:58:08 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Is it ok just to treat my whole tank (which includes about 18 other adults - i know its a bit crowded, but i will give some away soon)? Also what is a good brand of salt or medication to treat this sort of parasite? Sorry, i know this is very long, but please help me save my fish, i am desperate!
2006-09-06 15:00:23 · update #1
a few more questions:
-Why do you have to remove carbon filtration system before adding a medicine to the tank?
-If i add a medicine/ antibiotic to the tank, will it affect the healthy fish in the tank? i do NOT have a hospital tank, and i dont want to harm my beautiful adult guppies by trying to save my fry.
2006-09-06 15:15:26 · update #2
Sounds a little like water contamination from uneaten food and waste. Do a 1/4 water change every 3rd day for a few weeks, syphoning from the bottom of the tank replace with spring water warmed to the temperature of your tank and add a little aquarium salt at 1tsp per 5gal and maybe add some plants to yout tank such as java moss and java fern. I have had fry who's fins seemed to clamp for no real reason and die with no other symptoms (always starts to effect the smallest fry first) but this treatment seems to fix them up pretty quickly. Wardley Fungus aide added at the correct strength for fry seems to speed up the recovery, but the salt and water changes alone usually fix the problem in a few days.
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2006-09-06 16:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't sound like a body fluke (thought it could be), but it does sound like either Tail/Fin Rot.
You could treat them with a broad spectrum Anitbiotic for help the healing process which should also address the parasite. Maracyn-2 from Virbac Animal Health may be the thing to look into. It does recommend a hospital tank for treatment, but so long as you do a proper water change after the med cycle (and remove carbon filtration before treating) you should be ok.
Here's a link for you - read up on the symptoms it address and check out some of the others at the site under "Anitbiotics".
http://www.virbacpets.com/mardel/product.php?pid=182&PHPSESSID=efea67a47e3efcbb3d271cc426a1d516
Good luck!
2006-09-06 22:06:30 · answer #2 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea this sounds about right.
2006-09-06 22:04:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They should be fine
2006-09-06 22:54:02 · answer #4 · answered by african grey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋